"Inuyasha, let's just keep going." Kagome grumbled out as her companion in red stopped in his tracks and murmured, "Sesshomaru."

It was a blistering summer's day and the small group had been traveling through the forest for several weeks attempting to track a jewel shard. In the past few days, Kagome could sense the presence of the shard growing stronger and everyone was anxious to finish this particular journey. Kagome had not been home in several weeks and the others were just exhausted.

"Yeah, Inuyasha. We have a goal in mind, let us accomplish this and then you can challenge your brother." Miroku always attempted to help Inuyasha to think a little more rationally. On this particular occasion, it seemed to have no effect as Inuyasha bounded into the forest, leaving his companions to follow. Sighing, the weary group lifted their gear and ran after their impulsive leader.

They burst into a clearing just in time to see Sesshomaru command his own companions to hide as he turned to face his brother.

"Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha called out.

"Hanyou, I have no wish to battle this day so if you leave, this Sesshomaru will let you live," was Sesshomaru's cold response.

"Keh. Well I am in the mood for a battle and you deserve whatever you get." Inuyasha yelled out before charging at his brother.

Kagome, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo settled down in the woods within view of the clearing. Sango wiped the sweat dripping on her brow, while Shippo sagged against a tree wearily. This type of sibling rivalry had been going on for quite some time and the group was used to it. They decided to take the time to rest in the shade, far from the scene of battle, as the two brothers dueled, swords glinting in the sunlight.

"I demand you leave!" Sesshomaru snarled at his brother as they came close enough to touch. "This Sesshomaru has more important matters at hand."

"Like what?"

"As if this Sesshomaru would explain himself to the likes of you, half-breed."

The brothers seemed to clash forever, throwing demands and taunts each time they came within hearing. It could have only been a matter of minutes before the sky began to darken and the air grew thick. Birds ceased their twittering songs in the trees; indeed, it seemed like all time at stopped short. Both brothers froze immediately and began to dart glances through the forest. Inuyasha's face was turned upward sniffing at the breeze as it blew past his shoulder, whipping his hair. The group huddled in the woods immediately stood, Sango slinging Hirakotsu onto her shoulder.

"I sense a large jewel shard coming closer!" Kagome yelled out across the clearing as she picked up her bow and arrows.

"Naraku." It was the only conclusion that could be drawn and both the Inus on the field could smell the stench of evil as he drifted closer. The group paused, waiting for his appearance. Suddenly a scream was heard in the direction that Jakan and Rin had taken only moments before.

"Rin." Sesshomaru muttered under his breath as a propelled himself forward, in the direction of the scream.

"Do not bother yourself Sesshomaru, I will bring her to you." A cold voice rang out through the forest.

"Show yourself, you coward!" Inuyasha screamed out.

"Ku Ku Ku. Is that any way to address me, Inuyasha?" Naraku chuckled as he materialized Kagura next to him and a struggling Rin in her arms. "Now Sesshomaru, I believe this child is yours, why not come and claim her."

"Hn," was the only response Sesshomaru would deign Naraku with. His eyes surveyed the field and attempting to determine the best possible solution for saving Rin. He did not have long to think however, as he watched Kagome attempt to sneak up on Kagura and save Rin herself.

'Stupid wench.' His thoughts seemed to echo across the fields as Kagura turned to notice Kagome behind her. Kagura smiled as she dropped Rin to the ground and focused all her attention on Kagome.

"Run Rin!" The woman screamed as she notched an arrow, preparing to fire at Kagura. Sesshomaru felt this was his moment to strike and ran forward at the same time, to cover Rin's retreat from the clearing. Everything seemed to slow as Inuyasha launched himself at Naraku, Sango and Miroku atop Kirara burst onto the scene. Sesshomaru remained focused on Kagura; he needed to reap his revenge on the woman who dared touch something that was his. Kagome fired her arrow at Kagura who immediately jumped off her feather to reveal Kanna perched behind her. The girl did not move or even blink; she just turned her mirror to face the oncoming arrow.

A curious thing happened when Kagome's arrow struck Kanna's mirror. The glass did not shatter like one would expect, rather, a huge bubble of pink light began to grow. This bubble grew bigger and bigger as it eventually engulfed Kagome and the charging taiyoukai. Suddenly, the pink glow was sucked into Kanna's mirror like a huge vacuum, dragging Kagome and Sesshomaru with it. Her bow and arrows were forgotten, as Kagome attempted to grasp at a nearby tree. Sesshomaru's sword was ripped from his hand as he was pulled toward the mirror. The girl from the future could only let out a shrill scream before she and her youkai companion were lost within the mirror.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha's voice rang out as he raised his sword above his head and ran at Kagura and Kanna.

"Ku ku ku. Everything went better than I had hoped." Naraku said, practically gleeful and wearing a huge grin.

"What are you talking about Naraku! Where is Kagome!" Miroku yelled.

"You will probably never see that wench again. I have been leading you here with the hopes of finally disposing of that woman, the one who looks so like Kikyou. I have sent her to another dimension, one that never stops shifting and unless she can solve the puzzle she will be trapped forever! Sesshomaru was never meant to be involved, but an opportunity like this was too good to pass up."

"Bastard!" Inuyasha yelled out, switching his focus from Kanna to Naraku.

"Not today, Inuyasha, one thing at a time. I will return for you and your friends soon enough."

With those final words Naraku turned and left the scene with Kagura, Kanna, and his poison insects trailing behind him.

"Damn it. We have to follow him!" Inuyasha yelled, running to his companions and attempting to goad them to action.

"Inuyasha, we just can't rush forward without a plan!" Sango yelled at him, clearly upset that Kagome had been taken.

"We need to research how to get Kagome out of that mirror first." Miroku reasoned, "Until we know how to get her out following Naraku would have no point."

"We can't just stand here!" Inuyasha responded.

"No, of course not. Let's go to Kaede, she may have more knowledge of this. We must also take Rin there as well; she has no one else to turn to right now. We certainly can't take her with us." All eyes shifted to the frightened little girl standing next to Shippo.

"We must also find Master Jakan," she stuttered out, "he is hurt."

"Of course, Rin." Sango said assuring, taking on a mother role in Kagome's absence.

"We don't have time for all this!" Inuyasha said, obviously frustrated, "By the time we finish all this, Kagome will probably be dead."

This earned a whimper from Shippo and tears from Rin, as Miroku glared at him. "I think not, Inuyasha, since Naraku said there was a puzzle. Where ever Kagome is, she seems to be alive, just unable to leave."

"Keh, fine, but we are not staying longer than a week. If we can't figure it out by then, we go and kill Naraku and free her that way." Inuyasha was obviously angry, but could do nothing without the total support of the group.

"Agreed, one week." Miroku answered, betraying his own desire to find Kagome.

After finding Jakan, unconscious in the woods behind a rock, the group traveled quickly to Kaede's hut. One final thought ringing through each their minds as they ran, 'Please be alright, Kagome.'